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My husband and I had booked this cruise because it visited some different places. I particularly wanted to visit Volos because it offered a trip to the Meteora Monasteries in central Greece, which are otherwise hard to reach. So we were more than disappointed when told on boarding the ship that this stop was cancelled. Because of the problems with Superstorm Sandy, the ship was staying an extra night in Istanbul to wait for some US passengers having difficulty to catching the ship. As we had already spent 2 nights in Istanbul and it was our 3rd visit, this was of no benefit to us. Then, to add insult to injury, Oceania would not refund the full cost of the tour!!! We had taken out an Unlimited Collection pack which allows as many tours as you want - this was primarily because the tour to Meteora was $259 each. Oceania would only refund $198 each, as they apportioned a lower amount per day!! I am sure this is why Volos was cancelled instead of the other ports - it saved Oceania money - we met lots of other passengers doing the same tour as us! So far from offering compensation for our loss of this port, Oceania made money from us!!!!!!
3 days later we visited Rhodes and again Lindos was somewhere I had always wanted to visit. We had booked a trip to Ancient Lindos including the Acropolis there but, because of a strike, it was closed. So Oceania offered a trip to a village plus snacks (available on the ship for free!) and ouzo (which I wouldn't have as a gift!). We said we would like a refund but were told WE had cancelled the tour so would not receive any compensation!!!!!! Eventually, after lots of argument from us and others, they offered an alternate tour to Rhodes Town - not as good but at least something for our money! But what stress - we don't need it when on holiday.
Other comments about cruise: Cabin nice, good bed, good bathroom
Staff generally very friendly and helpful
Food very average. The menu was exactly the same as Regatta in both the main dining room and the speciality restaurants - exactly the same dishes in the same combinations - I assume this means that they circulate the same menus every two weeks, as it can't have been a coincidence!! Red Ginger was excellent - good interesting dishes - and nice extra touches. Jacques OK but no ambience and lots of tables next to serving areas and very loud because of wood floor. Toscana OK but not as good as on Regatta - the dover sole was covered in a kind of soggy flour mixture! Polo Grill good but not exceptional steaks.
Public areas not as good as Regatta - library and coffee areas both were on corridors - nowhere good to sit.
Nowhere on ship is there forward visibility so no chance of viewing ports as you arrived- never seen a worse designed ship from this point of view - the staff don't seem to think anyone looks over the side - never any information on when we were going to see nice entries into port eg Crete and Rhodes, you had to find out by accident! Also, we sailed in and out in darkness several times when they could have adjusted the timings slightly to see the views
For a supposed luxury line, no luxury eg no damp cloths or cool drinks when you get back on board (all the other ships we saw were doing this, even the lower cost ones). In fact, no little extras at all. On the last night, they removed the bathrobes to clean them. (As we use a robe when we put out our luggage, we weren't sure how we were supposed to do this!!!) When we insisted, they replaced the robe but it shouldn't be an issue - of the 6 cruise lines we have used, none of them do this!
Altogether, ship and offerings very average. We could not recommend Oceania to anyone, and their attitude when there are difficulties (like with the tours above) is not our problem - the small print allows to change what we like at your expense!
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